Assembly machine



R. A. FEATHERSTONE ETA L Get. 13, 1959 ASSEMBLY MACHINE 4 She "ets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. so. 1954 4 Shee ts-Sheet 2 R. A. FEATHERS'TONE ETAL Get. 13, 1959 ASSEMBLY MACHINE Filed Dec. 30, 1954 0.8L I3, 195 'R: AFEATHERsToNE ETAL 230 9 ASSEMBLY MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 30, 1.354

Inventors Attorney United States PatentO ASSEMBLY MACHINE Ronald A. Featherstone, I-IighlandPark, and William E. Rise, Detroit, Mich., assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application December 30, 1 954, Serial No. 478,588 11 Claims. 01.29-25.19

f-This invention relates to assembly machines in general and more particularly to assembly machines including spaced and interrelated work stations.

Manually assembling parts to form a finished product isexpensive in time, labor, and materials. Where possible automatic or semiautomatic assembly devices are used to replace manual labor. Such automatic machines include transfer means for progressively moving workpieces through a plurality of work stations in timed sequence and provide for simultaneous operation of different assembly and work devices on workpieces in different stages of completion so that a finished product will be obtained in the time required for the operation of the slowest work device. 1

Fully automatic machines have previously not been adaptable for all types of assembly work. Assembly machines require that all parts passing therethrough be within certain tolerances to facilitate uniform, work conditions and identical end products. Those parts which do not conform to requirements or upon which imperfect work is performed are rejected atinspection' stations. One instance in which these automatic assembly machines have not been overly adaptable is in the assembly of spark plugs. The insulator of a spark plug is a molded part which cannot be maintained within the close toler-- ance limits required of parts passing through an assembly machine without excessive cost in precision molding equipment. Variance in the height of shoulders formed on the spark plug insulator, forexample, van'es the material 'available from theouter spark plug shell to be crimped over the insulator, after installation. This will result in either poor crimping if too little material'is available or possibly damage to the insulator if too much material is available. Since automatic machines areprincipally adapted to deal with pre-established standards, the rejections in assembling spark plugs by previous assembling machines has proved too great to be practical;

It is now proposed to provide an assembly machine which is adaptable for use in assembling workpieces having some variable factor. It is proposed to provide an inspection or gauging station at which a partially assembled product may be inspected to determine its variance from prescribed standards. It is further proposed to relate the inspection station to another station wherein corrective measures may be automatically taken to assure a uniform assembled product. In the present instance this invention is related to spark plug assembly machine's. Correction is made in the proposed machines by properly selecting a gasket member of a size which will com,

pensate for the variance in size of another member; here the excess shell material. Other corrective measures such as weight, balance or other correction by adding or taking away material, may similarly be provided'for in other machine installations.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic layout of a spark plug assembly machine showing the workpiece travel: and var,- ious work stations. 4

f ce

Figure 3v is an enlarged view of a part of the inspection or gauging work station having parts broken away and shown in cross section to more clearly illustrate the structural elements thereof.

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of another part of the inspection or gauging work station.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic representation of an assembly station including selective means for compensating for a variable factor.

The present invention is here shown as incorporated within a spark plug assembly machine which is adapted to assemblea spark plug insulator, including the central electrode, within an outer shell and between spaced Washers or gaskets, and to crimp and weld'the excess shell material over the gaskets ,to lock the insulatorin place. The insulator is a molded piece including shoulders for spacing the gaskets. Because of the molding process and the tolerances on the shell and thickness of the bottom gasket, the distance between the shoulders may vary and consequently there may be more or less shell material to be crimped over the upper gasket than is desirable. Too much material may cause the insulator to be chipped or otherwise damaged, while too little material may result in a poor assembly.

The assembly machineincludes a machine base 20 having several dilferent work devices mounted thereon at spaced intervals and extended over a continuous loop conveyer line 22provided about the base. The conveyer 22 includes a plurality of work carriage members 24 which each have a pair of work holders 26.

To more clearly illustrate the operation of the assembly machine in assembling spark plugs, the various work stations have been designated inFigure 1' by circled numerals 1 through 13. At station 1 a pair of spark plug outer shells 28 are placed within the Work holder 24 of one of the carriage members 26. This maybe done inanually or automatically as by a hopper feed system. I At station 2 a lower washer] or gasket 30, reference Figure 3 i is placed within each shell 28. At station 3 a device device 48 selects the proper size upper gasket 40 to be deposited over the electrode 34 and in the shell 28 in accordance with the determination made at the previous station. The interrelation of stations 5 and 6 will be covered in moredetail lateron. At station 7 the upper gasket 40 is pressed down to lock insulator on center in shell 28, atstation 8 the insulator 32 is inspected. for damage, and at station 9 the excess shell material 42 is crimped over the upper gasket'40 by a work device '52. Stations 10 and 11 include resistance heating devices 54 and 56, station 12 includes a device 58 for setting the electrode'gap, and station 13 is where the assembled spark plugs are unloaded by a work device 60."

Referring now to Figure 2, the work'device 46 of station 5 includes a pair of gauging or inspection devices 62 which are received over a pair of partially assembled spark plugs and are adapted to measure or determine the proper upper washer or gasket 40 which is to be inserted in the shells 28 thereof at the next station inorder that therewill be a proper amount of shell material 42to be crimped and Welded thereover. v a a The support structure of the work device 46 includes a pair of vertically disposed parallel spaced plates 64 and 66' secured to the machine base 20 in any acceptable manner and having a cross member 68 secured across the upper. ends of the plates and-extended forwardly over-the conveyer line. A housingor sleeve guide member 70 is secured tothe support plates 64 and 66 and is extended over, the conveyer line in hand spaced relation below the cross member 68? A fluid cylinder 72', only partially shown, is mounted vertically on top, of the cross member 68 and includes a piston rod 74 extended downwardly and adapted to support :a transverse plate 76 through extension link arms 78 and 80. Apair of depending sleeves 82,and 8,4 are secured to the transverse plate 76. These sleeves 82. and- 8'4leach' comprise part of separate inspecti'on devices 62 'a'nd' si'nce the inspection-devices are indentica l, only one such device will bedescribed in detail.

The depending sleeve 84 is extende'dcentrally through thestationary housing or sleeve guide member 70 in slidable relation within a work holder centering sleeve 86 which is itself slidably disposed within an insert sleeve 88 of the sleeve guide member 70. The centeringslee've 86v includes a'shoulder 90 near its lower end uponwhich'is retained a collar 92.- Vertical guide rods '94 are secured to the-collar 92land include'coil springs 96 thereon bearinglagainst the sleeve guide 70 to bias :the centering'sleeve '86'downwar'dly: The centering sleeve 86 is conically undercut: at its lower end 98"to receive andcenter one of the relatively-movable work holders 24of oneofthe carriage members 26.

Slidably journalled within the depending; sleeve/"84 is another sleeve member 100 ='having threaded to its lower end a shell engaging sleeve 1102; The shell" engaging sleeve 102' includes an inwardly extending flange 104 for engaging the upper edge of the spark plug shell 28' and having ,ari'ng 106 ofv tempered material set therein to prevent damage through repeated engagement with different spark plug shells. The upper end of the sleeve member 1'00Ihassecured thereto a sleeve 108 with a signal switch unit 110fastened thereon. Withinthe sleeves 100" and 108, and slidably dis: posed within journal bearings 1'12 and"1l1-4 is an axially movable rod 1'16ha'ving an abutment collar 118 secured to its lower endand'a transversely extended plate 120 secured to' the other endanddisp'osed over the signal switch unit I110.

Slidably disposed within the sleeve 102, between the collar 118 ofthe rod1116 and'the shell engaging flange 104 of sleeve'102," isf'a sleevern'ember 122 having an insulator shoulder engaging extension memberll24'of hard and durable material securedto'the lowerend 'tliereo-f'and receivable centrally through'the shell engaging flange 10 4. The relative disposition of the insulator-shoulder 367: the top ofthe spark plug shell 28fis transposed to the plate 120 and sw'itch unit 110, respectively, through the rod 116, bYabutment' ot"sleeve 122 with collar 1118', and throughth'e'sleeves 102; l00 and- 108which position the signal switch unit 1 10"rel'ativefto the plate 120.

To? assure thever'ticahdisposition of the insulator-32 withinfthe shell 28, agcentering member-E126, including a depending stud 128 conicallyrecessed at'its lower end as at 130, is slidably disposed within sleeve 122 and is biased by a. coil spring 131 receivedlwithin the =recessed upper end thereof and the recessed end ofrrod 1 16, The spring 1371- is guided on pin 13 2;sec,ured-,to ;rod--1:1 6--and; biases the centering member 126 downwardly against. the-top of the insulator 32 which is received within theconicalv-recess 130thereof;

Thesleeves'84, 86, 100; 102 and-122 are undercut'as showrfat 134, 1 36', 138, 140 and =142, -respectively;-and communicate with anoilcup 1-44 through lubricant passages 146 and 148 to assure adequate lubrication therebetween. The lubricant passage '148 'is alignedwith the grease cup 144 through undercutpbrtion' 1400f sleeve V of the sleeve 108 and thehead'156 of the guide pin.

102 when the relatively movable sleeves are retracted (such'retracte'd 'position not being here shown); I

The signal switch unit 110' and incident shell height gauging sleeves 108, '100 and 102 are biased downwardly by a spring member 150 disposed about a guide pin 152 secured to plate 76 and engaged between a shoulder 154 The rod 116 and plate 120, and consequently sleeve 122, are also biased downwardly by a spring member 158 disposed about a guide pin 160'secure'd to the signal switch unit 110 and engaged between the plate 120 and the head 162 of the guide pin:

A threaded bolt 164- and lock nut 166 secured to the plate 120 act as a limit stop to prevent excess relative travel between plate-120 and-switch unit 110 which might otherwise damage the switch unit. Other stops include limit switches or signal devices such as stop 168 secured to plate 76 'which engages actuator 170 of limit switch 172"to signal the loweringof the'inspection devices to the proper position. Bolt 174secured to plate 7 6.is adapted to engage actuator 176 of limit switch 178 secured to thesupport plate 66 to signal the retraction of the inspectiondevices. The retracted travel of the I inspection devices is' such as will clear thetop of vthe spark plug, insulator 32 as. shown by the phantom view of the centering sleeve 86-and collar 92 in Figure 3. s

i The signal switch unit 110 includesthree: limit switches 180,182 and- 184 having their actuator buttons- 186, 188

' and190, respectively, extended upwardly andare adapted to be respectively engaged by three limit stops 192, 194 and 196 secured within the plate 120 and aligned there with, Variation in the relative distance between the top of the sparklplug shell 28 and the shoulder 36 of the spark pluginsulator' 32alt'ers the relative disposition of plate 120 to switch unit 1'10. Consequently, all, two, one or-none of the actuator buttons 186, 188- and 190 will be engaged depending upon'whether, respectively, no available gasket is thin enough to be acceptable, the thinest gasket is acceptable, the thicker g asket should be used, or none of the available gaskets are thick enough. Electrical leads (not here shown) from the'switch devices 180, 182and"184are passed through conduit 18 9 of the switch unit 110mm connections :as will hereafter be described; I 7 1 V V The work device 48atstation 6-includes a pair of washer or gasket feeddevices-200 and 202 showndiagrammatically by Figure 5 Gaskethoppers 204 and 206 contain upper insulator shouldergaskets 40 of difierent predetermined thicknesseswhich are fed through C011? duits 208and 210, respectively, to-selectors212 and.214. The, selectors 212 and 21 4 rotate counterclockwise and clockwise, respectively, past reject conduits 216 sorting out. bent and under or'over size gaskets to; reject containers 218 and'directing, proper size gaskets to pass conduits 220 and 222, and 224 and 226, respectively. A pass conduit. fromeach'hopper communicates with each gasket feed device 200 and; 202. Since the gasketfeed devices are principally the same only one will. be describedin detaiL. g v

s Th fpass cond uits 220 and 222 of different sizedgaskets are stopped oif by an escapement device 228 includingan actuator 230 having-forked arms 232and23l4 by which one or. the, other conduit, 220-01'222, is allowed to pass la gasket 40 tdependinguponwhich arm of the actuator is lenga ged. may be by having one arm displaced radially from the other so that the escap ement device moves further when one arm is engaged than when the "other is engaged.

A memory'discf 236, including. several axially displaceable' pins '238spacedcircumferentially about-the edge thereof, is'rotatable between the fork arms 232 and 234 of the actuator in timed relation to the indexing steps of the car'riage'memb'ers 26L Solenoids 240'. and 242 controlling biased plungers 244and 246,",respectively,

device.

which are aligned on opposite sides of the memory disc 236 with the pin positions A, are'adapted through the plungers to raise or depress a pin 238. After displacement of the pin 238 the memorydisc is rotated through progressive steps until the pin engages one or the other of the escapement actuator arms 232 or 234 at position B to release a gasket. v The memory disc 236 indexes the pin 238 next to position 0 to engage one or'the other or neither of a pair of micro switches 248 and 250 spaced on opposite sides of the disc. The switches 248 and 250 conduit 256 through which the selected gasket 40 is dropped to the gasket jaws 258 disposed over one of the partially assembled spark plugs in the carriage member 26. A fluid cylinder 260 is disposed within the conduit 256 for moving the gasket jaw chuck 262 containing the gasket jaws downwardly over the spark plug insulator 32.

:The work holder centeringsleeve 86 firstfengages the work holder' 24. The insulator shoulder engagingextension member '124 then contactsith'e insulator 32. The

. extension member 124' and its sleeve 122-continue downwardly. while-the insulator centering stud 128. engages and centers the insulator anduuntil the shellengaging flange 104 of the sleeve102 contacts the spark plug shell member 28. Atithis instancethe limit switch 172 is actuated by the stop 168 on plate 76 energizing the limit switches 180, 182 and 184 of the signal unit 110 which then register or signal the distance between the insulator shoulder 36 and the top of the spark plug shell 28 thereby determining whether or not an upper gasket 40 is to be fed to that particular spark plug assembly and if so the sizeof such gasket. As mentioned previously, if the one switch 180 is actuated a gasket of one size is indicated, if the two switches 180 and 182 are actuated a gasket of another size is indicated and if none or all of the switches are actuated rejected.

The de-energization of the fluid cylinder .72 is delayed by time delay or other means (not here shown) until the partially assembled spark plug is to. be

the settings of limit switches 180, 182 and 184 have been .transposed'to the'solenoid valves 240 and 242 after Downward movement of the gasket jaw chuck 262 is adapted to actuate insulator centering jaws 264 and 266 which are pivotally mounted and include inwardly extending lips 268 and 270, respectively, for engaging and centering the insulator. The centering jaws 268 and 270 are shown 90 out of position for purposes of illustration. However, they are normally positioned transversely of the movement of conveyer line 22.

An outwardly extended flange 274' included with the axially movable gasket jaw chuck 262 and collar 272 is adapted to engage one or the other of a pair of limit switches 276 and 278 to indicate the raised or lowered disposition of the gasket jaw chuck 262 and the engaged or disengaged disposition of the centralizing jaws 2'64 and 266. 1

The gasket feed devices 200 and 202' will be noted to be here associated'with difierent work holders 24 of different carriage members 26. The one feed device 202 is an additional index step away from the other feed device 200. This requires that the memory disc-236 ofp the one device include an additional indexing step as compared to the other memory disc of the other feed The work devices 46 and 48 of stations 5 and 6 are interrelated by connecting the limit switches 180, 182

and 184 of the signal units 110 to the solenoids 240 and 242 controllingrthe plunger pins 244 and 246. ,These connections are not shown but are such as will be understood and maybe readily made by those experienced in this field. For example, one limit switch 180 would be connected to onesolenoid 240 and the same limit switch 180 and another 182 would be connected to the opposite solenoid 242. If the limit switch 180 is actuated the solenoid 240, through the plunger 244, would move .the actuator pin 238 in one direction, if limitswitches 180 and 182 are actuated the other solenoid 242, through its plunger 246, would move the pin 238 in the opposite direction, but if none or all of the limit switches are actuated the solenoids 2'40 and 242 are inactive or equalized and the actuator pin 238remains" centered. I

. The spark plug assembly machine operates'basically in the manner .originally described; that is in moving the carriage members 26 with their workpieces progressively step by step through the various work stations. At the' which the cylinder is 'de-energized retracting the transverse plate 76 andincident sleeve members 82 and 84. On the return strokethe limit switch 178 is actuated by the .bolt 174 coming in contact with the switch actuator-arm 176. :The'limit switch 178 causes the machine to index, moving another carriage member 26 under the inspectionwork device 46 and repeating the cycle upon the workpieces disposed within the work holders of such carriage: member. I

With each indexing of a carriage member 26 to the next position, the memory disc 236 is adapted to likewise index. The simultaneous indexing of carriage members .and'memory' discs is not here shown but may be controlled in any of a number of ways such as by causing the conveyor line 22 to actuate a sprocket wheel which through related mechanical or electrical linkage will similarly index the memory disc. The indexing of the memory disc 236 is timed so that one of the actuator pins 238 on the memory disc is simultaneously operated with the work device 46 to register or record for a particular spark plug assembly the determination made by such work device and is positioned to engage oneor the other, or neither of the fork'arms 232 and 234 of completion of an individual indexing movement a control switch (not here shown) is actuated which energizes or activates the fluid cylinder 72 to cause the piston rod 74 .to move downwardly carrying with it the transverse plate 76, switch unit and sleeve elements 82 and'84.

the escapement device 228 subsequently and when that same'spark plug assembly is disposed beneath the gasket feed device 202 with which that particular memory disc is associated. a

' As the carriage member.26 completes its indexing below one of the gasket feed devices 200 or 202 a control switch is actuated which energizes the fluid cylinder 260 to start the downward movement of the gasket jaw chuck 262. Asthe chuck 262 moves down the centralizing jaws 264 and 266 are pivoted and cammed to move the insulator engaging flanges 268 and 270 inwardly centering the insulator 32.

At the same time the indexing of the carriage member 26 to below the feed device 202 has caused the memory disc 236 to index the actuator pin 238 to engage one of the fork arms 232 or 234' of the escapement device 228 and to cause the selection of a gasket member 40. The gasket 40 falls through the feed conduit 256 to the gasket jaws 258. The gasket jaws 258 are opened in the course of the downward movement of the chuck 262 allowing the selected gasket to fall onto the centralizing jaws 264 and 266 engaged about the insulator 32. Electrical leads 280 and 282 are connected to each of the centralizing jaws 270 and 268',frespectively, and when the gasket member 40 is dropped thereupon the circuit between the jaws is complete indicating that a gasket is present. At the same time the extended flange 2740f the chuck collar 272'engages the limit switch 278.

@ Eheacompletion of thescircuit'a-across';thenjawse264.sand --1266 zaloneiallowsz theirmachinez to continue. indexing. .flhe itac'tuationc ofithe' limit switch 278 de-fenergizes. the'F-fluid cyli'nderflfifl; ca'usingzzthe .ga'sket' jaw ;.chuek 262 :to be :retraeted',i the: centralizing,-iarms264yand 266; ltoxbet opened sandi'dropping the gasketmemberi wtinto.positionabout 2 the Ji -insulator 3,2 :and within-f. the: spark plug: shell 28.

'LAt the end ofthe :return stroke of: the gasket jaw :chnck 1262,:the; extended: flange-274 'engageszithe limitiswitehs 276 L-sig'naling thezcompletion of the .feedroperation andxallow- -.ingfth'e machinezto indexwtoithekneXt position -;.and' the cycle toflberrepeated.

@If :the operation -=of zwork .device '46 of station ;5' has 'indica't'edsthat' :no gasket is :acceptableLfor use with the :vparticularspark .plu'guas'sembly ."then; this rwill "prevent :thesind'exingrof:the :machine and willxrequire thatx-the uoperatormause i that; particular assembly :10. be rejected. .-.The .actuator pin 238 .of the-imemory sdisci will: remain .centefecL-and will not sen'gageyeither oftthe' fork arms 232 and 234' of the escapement device 228 or actuate .-ei tlieit of thedimit switches 24$:and1250. Consequently, no; gasket-willrbe :releasediat station-n6 and :theficircuit :acrossithe centralizing jaws-2.64 .and 266 will'be broken, :however, neither :OfthfllirtiitLSWitChCS @48 and 250 will ebezactuatediandconsequently will allow the :machine to continue-indexing. This in :elfect :allows carriers which varesempty either. through rejection. andremoval at station :Su'or byioperatorl'failure to load carrier, to continue 'in- .deXing through station 6 withoutthezmachine stopping.

. fl. iln. combination;in a machine'for assembling work- 5 pieces wherein a sworkpiece member :having a certain variable feature is inspected to determine which flo'f sev- .eralipossibleicomplementary workpiecemenrbers'lis to be v35.

-. .assernbled ntherewith to s p'rovide .a uniform assembled "workpiece combination, alfir'st deviceFforrece'iVingca1p1u iralityiof; workpiece members and including means for;inspecting said members individually to 'determine the: extent of .variation thereof, means having operable con- .nections ;to said first .device and :operated simultaneously therewith throughesaid.co-nnections for recording thede- :termination madetbysaidfirst device as tohone ofxsaid workpiece amembers,, a' source of "possible complementary workpiece members, .a second device ifonselecting .fromx-said source one of. .-said;poss'ible complementary workpiece members :in accordance .:-with the determinartioniim'ade by said:first.:device and recorded .b-yrsaidre .;cording'. means, said :recording means .being "intercon- :nected with-and timedto subsequently a'ctuatesaid secondydevice in accordance Withithfi determination made by said first device when said one workpieceumem'ber-iis rece'ived .thereby,;,and ssaid firstidevice' "being operable upon subsequent workpiece members independently of the time of operation or"v said second device with respect :to saidone workpiece member.

of ,similar workpiece. parts and forinspecting one of said workpiece parts to determinethe complementaryworkpiecetpart acceptable for assembly therewith, a source j-fiX1S1I WOIk deviceon anywof the other, similar workpiece" spamsxandf subsequently upon-said secondworkidevicewto actuate said second work device when said one work- .:piece part is received thereby, said means having interrelated controls and connections operated by and .connectedwith-said devices. p 3. In a -machine tor assembling complementary workpiece parts, a first device 'for receiving andinspectingone -.of said workpiece-parts, asource of other workpiece rwieceirpart sai'd firstxidevicevincluding 'meansu-fori'deteramin'ingawhichionetofrsaid otheri-workpieceparts is com- -:zplementary to sai'dfone' workpiece part,- a---second device for ,s'eleetingrfrom 'said source saidrone :other; workpiece part (ands-for -.-assemb ling said one; other workpiece :part with said one: t workpiece. part; and ,-a third v device 7 interconnected with said first and seconddevices .forzrecordring :the determination i made byssaid destermining 'rne'ans f simultaneously "with ;theioperation'-.of Isa id first device andincluding-means-for subsequently actuating-said second devieefin accordance with the determination made .by said determining means when saidone workpiece .is t-receivedby-saidsecond device. 7 -.4. lnsagm'achine for; assembling complementary jworkpiece pants, -a,;firs t=device for receiving and individually inspecting a pl urality of workpiece iparts a source of -goth er, g-workpiece part-s, j said (first device including :means 'for determining which of said':otherworkpiece .parts is s mn e r rz espeq vely' to fa h; t n 'Q sa d, ,:w zvkwpeits axsew r vis v l t om s source the lone pit-said =other workpiece parts which is Jcornplementary respectively to each one of said workpiece'. parts; conveyer means if oiflmoving each of said workpiece parts from firstedevice tosaid second de- 7 vice, and a third device; connected to said determining ;means-"-including means forrecording the sucee'ssive determinations made hy said determining 'means, said recording meansbeing timed with saidconveyer means-and connected with saidsecond device/for subsequently ac- 'tuating said second device -in=.accordance' with the determination ;made by said determining means upon -one of .said workpieceswhen said one workpiece is received'by said second device. H

. 5-1 a mwhi s f s lbl ns go lem r -piece gparts va first device forgreceivingand inspecting a Y, wo kp ea t, 1 s r es d n wo k p t Q wh h. i iw n e nta to 1 s id iwb k e e p r said .first clevice including means .for determining which one of said: different workpiece parts is complementary to said workpiece part, a second device includingmeans for selecting from said source saidone difierent workpiece iparfi n a o a ith-ihe e er nafl fl m b Said determiningmeans and for assembling said workpiece parts together, and athird .device interconnected with said first-and second devices"for;recording the determina- .tions made fby said determiningimeans and connected thereto ifor; simultaneous operation therewith on. any

o ther workpiece part and including means for subse- .1 .l -2.'1n amachine for assembling complementary work piece-parts, .acfirst' Work vdeviceufor receiving a. plurality parts.

.quently actuating said selecting -means when said workpiece isreceivedby said second device. A H I 4: maria i e-f s b n i l' me rv r ,pieee 7 parts, a first work .device fret receiving a V plurality ..of similar workpiece parts including .rneans .for .insp ec ting .one of said workpieceparts andlfor determining thepossible complementaryworkpiece part acceptable for assembly therewith, a s'ourceofpossible.complementary vvorkpiece :parts, a s econd device for sev lecting from-said sourceone of said poss iblecomplernentary workpiece parts in accordance the deter- ;mination made by said first workdevice, conveyer .mea ns for transferring said one workpiece part and all subsequentworkpieceparts betweensaid work devices, and a device; mt er connected with said first and second work ,devices and connected; to said "detYrrnining means for .operation simultaneously therewith and including -means for subsequently actuating said second work device, said rlast named means being connected .andtimed with said conveyor means for actuating said second work device whensaid one workpiece.is-received bysaid second work device simultaneously with .the operation of said first work device upon .any of .said subsequent workpiece 7 .In amachine for assembling complementary work- .piece-parts a first :device for receiving and individually :parts'one o f which is complementary to saidone ong 7;; inspectingaplurelity of workpiece parts, a source of different workpiece parts one of which is complementary to one of said workpiece parts, said first device including means for determining the one of said difierent workpiece parts which is complemenary to said one workpiece part, a second device including means for selecting from said source said one different workpiece part and for assembling said one different workpiece part with said one workpiece part, conveyer means interconnecting said first and second devices and transferring said one workpiece part and subsequent workpiece parts from said first device to said second device, and a third device connected to said determining means for simultaneous operation therewith for recording the determinations made by said determining means with respect to each of said subsequent workpieces, said recording means being interconnected and timed with said conveyer means for subsequently actuating said selecting means in accordance with the determination made by said determining means with respect to. said one workpiece part. when said one workpiece part is received 'by said second device.

8. In a machine for assembling workpiece parts, a first device for receiving and individually inspecting a plurality of workpiece parts, a source of different work-piece parts one of which is complementary to one of said workpiece parts, said first device including means for determining the one of said different workpiece parts which is complementary to said one workpiece part, a second device connected with said first device and including means for selecting -iirom said source said one difierent workpiece part and for assembling said one and said one different workpiece part together, and a third device having connections with said first and second devices and connected to said determining means for recording the determinations made thereby and being operated simultaneously with the operation of said determining means on difierent workpieces to record determinations of said determining means independently of the operation of said second device, said recording device subsequently actuating said selecting means through said connections in accordance with the determination made by said determining means with respect to said one workpiece part when said one workpiece part is received by said second device.

9. A device for centering elements which are disposed one within the other and rfor determining the relative disposition of said elements with respect to each other when so centered, said device including a plurality of coaxially disposed sleeve members, said sleeve members including first and second pairs of sleeve members having one sleeve member of each pair engaging one of said elements, said first pair of sleeve members centering said elements with respect to each other, said second pair of sleeve members having means interconnected therewith for determining the relative disposition of said elements with respect to each other by the relative disposition of the sleeve members of said second pair.

10. A device for centering elements which are disposed one within the other and for determining the relative disposition of said elements with respect to each other when so centered, saidv device including a plurality of coaxially disposed sleeve members, said sleeve members including first and second'pairs of sleeve members having one sleeve member of each pair engaging one of said elements, said first pair of sleeve members centering said elements with respect to each other, said second pair of sleeve members having means interconnected therewith for determining the relative disposition of said elements with respect to each other by the relative disposition of the sleeve members of said second pair, and means connected to said second pair of sleeve members and responsive to said determining means for selecting a third element in accordance with the determination of the relative disposition of said second pair of sleeve members :for assembly with said other elements.

11. A device for determining the relative disposition of one member to another and for selecting an element acceptable for assembly with said members, said device including a pair of coaxially disposed sleeves, one of said sleeves engaging said one member and the other of said sleeves engaging said other member, means connected with and responsive to the relative disposition of said sleeves for deter-mining the relative disposition of said members, and means operably connected to said sleeves through said determining means for selecting an 1 element in accordance with the determination made by said determining means which may be assembled with said members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Kahle et a1 Nov. 23, 1954 

